The Roots of Valentine's Day

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Valentine's Day didn't 'start' as one neat tradition. It was stitched together over time, reaching back to a mix of early Christian martyr stories, older Roman festivals, and centuries of changing ideas about love. The familiar symbols—red roses, love notes, chocolate—feel soft and sweet, but the holiday's origins are more complex, involving religious feast days, medieval ideals of courtly romance, and the rise of commercial traditions like mass-produced cards.

Why it matters

Understanding the layered history of Valentine's Day provides context for how the holiday has evolved and the diverse ways it is celebrated today, from religious observances to romantic gestures to commercial traditions. Knowing the holiday's roots can also help people approach it with more nuance, treating it as a tool for expressing care rather than a test to pass.

The details

The origins of Valentine's Day can be traced to multiple early Christian martyrs named Valentine, as well as the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which involved fertility rituals. Over time, the holiday's meaning shifted from religious remembrance to romantic celebration, especially in medieval Europe where ideals of courtly love emerged. The rise of mass-produced Valentine's Day cards in the 1700s and 1800s further commercialized the holiday, leading to many of the symbols we associate with it today like hearts, cupids, roses, and chocolate.

• By the 5th century, the Church had officially marked February 14 as St. Valentine's Day.
• In the Middle Ages, especially in England and France, people developed ideals of courtly love—a formal, poetic style of romance.
• In the 1700s and 1800s, Valentine's Day became more organized and commercial, especially in Britain and the United States.